Ray Juzaitis named to lead LLNL’s Nonproliferation, Arms Control and International Security and Homeland Security organizations

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Raymond J. Juzaitis, a nuclear and chemical engineer with extensive experience in weapons and computational physics, has been named as Associate Director for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Nonproliferation, Arms Control and International Security (NAI) Directorate and Acting Director for the Lab’s Homeland Security Organization.

The appointment was made by LLNL Director Michael Anastasio and confirmed by the University of California and by the National Nuclear Security Administration. Juzaitis, a University of California employee since 1978, replaces Steve Cochran, who has been serving in the position in an acting capacity for the past year. Juzaitis’ appointment is effective immediately.

In making his announcement, Anastasio noted that Juzaitis brings broad expertise to his new role. “Ray’s impressive background and leadership in nuclear weapon design and technology, along with extensive experience with the DOE and DOD make him an excellent choice for this position. His tenure at Livermore has complemented his past experience and expertise in national security,” he said. “I am pleased Ray is joining my senior management team and I am confident that he will be committed to maintaining the vital, world-class science and technology in NAI and HSO.”

In his new role, Juzaitis will be responsible for leading, developing and managing organizations that provide technology, analysis and expertise in preventing the spread or use of weapons of mass destruction. LLNL’s NAI and Homeland Security organizations also provide comprehensive solutions integrating threat, vulnerability, advanced technologies and operations to assist federal, state, local and private entities in defending against terrorism. He will be responsible for more than 230 employees and a combined budget of $350 million.

“I am honored to be a part of the NAI and Homeland Security teams,” said Juzaitis. “This lab has been a leader in helping the nation win the war on terrorism and in supporting our nation’s efforts in reducing the international threat of nuclear proliferation. I have no doubt that we will continue to make a significant difference in the future. I look forward to working with all the employees in NAI and Homeland Security to ensure our success.”

For the past year, Juzaitis has served as NAI’s chief scientist. Prior to that, he was the Associate Director for Weapons Physics and the Deputy Associate Director for Nuclear Weapons at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He has also served as the Director of Applied Theoretical and Computational Physics Division (X-Division) and in a number of other nuclear weapons related positions at LANL since 1978. Juzaitis also served as senior technical advisor for defense programs at the Department of Energy from 1998 to 1999; and from 1988 to 1990, he was the special scientific advisor to the office of the Assistant to the secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy. He has a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, and a M.E. and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia.

Juzaitis is the recipient of three DOE Weapons of Excellence Awards and is a member of the American Nuclear Society. He lives in Livermore with his wife, Helen, and they have two grown children. In his spare time, he enjoys musical composition and playing the piano.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission to ensure national security and to apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.